Hockey India removes U-18 support staff member over sexual misconduct allegations
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, May 17, 2026: Fresh controversy has hit Hockey India after a support staff member associated with the Indian U-18 men’s hockey setup was removed from the ongoing national camp in Bhopal following allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour.
According to reports, support staff member Sudhir Golla was asked to leave the national coaching camp after complaints from trainees at the Eklavya Hockey Training Centre in Ranchi surfaced before the federation. The development came on the same day India’s U-18 team was scheduled to face Australia in a home series match in Bhopal.
Reports stated that the complaints were initially submitted to the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs in Jharkhand. Authorities allegedly received accusations related to misconduct, inappropriate behaviour with girl trainees, absenteeism and negligence of duty during Golla’s tenure at the training centre in Ranchi.
An official order issued by the Jharkhand sports department reportedly removed Golla from his duties earlier this month, with another coach being assigned additional responsibility at the centre. Soon after learning about the allegations, Hockey India removed him from the U-18 national camp with immediate effect.
In a statement quoted in media reports, Hockey India said player safety and safeguarding remain top priorities for the federation. The body maintained that action was taken immediately after the allegations came to its notice.